SACRAMENTO, CALIF.- Witherell’s Auction House presents its Luxury Asset Auction, a live auction event on March 18, 2022 at The Sutter Club in Sacramento. Nearly 100 treasures will be sold, from prominent art of international significance to rare jewels. All of the auction items were brought forth by local families, sharing compelling stories and details that contribute to Sacramento’s rich history.
“This is an auction of local and international interest,” said Brian Witherell, cofounder of Witherell’s and guest appraisal expert on PBS’s popular series, “Antiques Roadshow.” “We are honored and privileged that our local community turns to us to handle their most prized family heirlooms, and many of them are blown away to discover the value of items they had stuffed away for decades in the closet or garage.”
Auction highlights include:
• Robert Arneson, Ceramic Wall Hanging, "Dog and Roy" – Known as the leader of The Funk Art movement in California, Robert Arneson’s provocative ceramic works are collected internationally, drawing six-figure sales. A bay area native, his sculptures depict odd everyday objects – like urinals and bottles of soda – and self portraits.
• Fernando Amorsolo, Watercolor – Born in Manilla, Amorsolo is considered one of the most notable painters in the Philippine art history in the 20th century.
• Gregory Kondos, painting, “Levee House” – World-renowned artist and beloved Sacramentan, Kondos is revered for his iconic watercolor landscapes of the Sacramento Valley, Yosemite and the Greek Islands. Kondos, who passed in 2021, is featured in numerous public arts projects throughout the Sacramento region.
• Roy De Forest, Three-Fold Screen – A prominent painter, sculptor and UC Davis art instructor, De Forest was part of The Funk Art and Nut Art movements in the Bay Area. His art is celebrated for its quirky and comical fantasy lands filled with bright colors and creatures, most commonly dogs.
• Historic Gold Coin – Dating back to 1850, the $5 early Mormon coin depicts a seeing eye of Jehovah. It is offered by a descendant of the Humphreys Family, known for their close ties to Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon faith. In 1849, the Humphreys left the Midwest in a wagon train, "The Badger Company," in search of gold in California. The began gold mining in Placerville and eventually settled in Sacramento. The coin was discovered inside a Christmas thank you note dated December, 1907.
• Jewelry: rare treasures from the early 1900’s, including an Art Deco stunning diamond platinum ring with an old European cut 2.5 carat diamond, accented by 32 old European cut diamonds. A Rolex "Big Crown" Submariner wristwatch sought by collectors, the style made famous by legendary actor “King of Cool” Steve McQueen.
• WW II Guns/Actress Marlene Detrick – A rare 1945 pistol and .38 caliber revolver dating back to 1890, gifted to internationally acclaimed actress Marlene Detrick by General George S. Patton and General Omar Bradley. Detrick, who started her career in silent films, was honored for humanitarian efforts and entertaining troops during WWII. The guns were personalized with gold plaques and presented to her as a thank you for her contributions.
